Ignition and steering locking assembly



Dec, R7,, 1946; R. A. SANDBERG IGNITION AND STEERING LOCKING ASSEMBLYFiled Oct. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l NKEN U Dec, 17, 1946. R. A.SANDBERG IGNITION AND STEERING LOCKING ASSEMBLY Filed'ocz. 26, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet 2 v Ray JZ. Janabery Patented Dec. 17, 1946 IGNITION ANDSTEERING LOCKING ASSEMBLY Bay A. Sandbcrg, Waukegan, 111., assignor toHoudaille-Hershey Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of MichiganApplication October 26, 1944, Serial No. 560,502

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to ignition and steering locking assembly forautomotive vehicles and particularly to an assembly in which a lockingunit and a switch unit ar remote from each other and mounted on andbehind the instrument panel with only the key-operable lock barrel forthe steering lock and the manually operable button for the switch unitvisible to th driver in front of the panel.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved switchunit which may be readily mounted on the ledge of an instrument panelbehind the panel front wall with the switch control button accessiblefrom the front of the panel, and to provide a steering locking unit alsomountable on the ledge of the panel behind the panel front and with thelock barrel for operation of the steering locking bolt accessible forkey insertion from the front of the panel.

A further object is to provide interconnection between the locking unitand the switch unit which will readily permit desired positioning of theswitch unit relatively to the locking unit and which will function forinter-control of the lock unit and switch unit so that operation of theswitch button for ignition circuit closure will be prevented while thesteering is locked, and relocking of the steering will be preventedwhile the switch button is set for closure of th ignition circuit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple switch unitconstructed substantially entirely of sheet metal stampings andembodying over-center or snap action of the switch to assure quickclosure and opening of the switch in response to manual operation of thecontrol button.

The above referred to and other features of the invention are embodiedin the structure shown on the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the ignition steering locking assemblymounted on the instrument panel which is partly in section and partlybroken away;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembly} Figur 3 is a side elevation ofthe switch unit;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the switch unit;

Figure 5 is a section on plane V-V Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a section on plane V IVI Figure 3.

On the drawings, Ill indicates the instrument panel which at its lowerend is deflected rearwardly to provide a ledge or lip H. The steeringlocking unit comprises th collar l2 split at I3 for receiving thesteering column I I to be rigidly clamped; thereto by contraction of thecollar by the screw I5. The clamping collar is at one end of acylindrical body l6 which extends diagonally upwardly therefrom at thright thereof above the panel ledge H, a boss I1 extending down from thebody to seat against the ledge. A screw I8 extends through the ledge andthreads into the boss I! to secure the body It of the lock unit to theledge. The clamping screw l5 also extends through thepanel ledge so thatthe clamping screw, besides functioning to clamp the collar l 2 to thesteering column, will assist the screw [8 in holding the lock structurein place on the panel ledge, as shown on Figure 1.

A bore l9 extends through the body l6 and a lock bolt 23 is axiallymovable in the bore and has the locking end 2| for extending through theopening 22 in the steering column M for engagement in the locking recess23 in the collar 24 on the steering shaft 24 which extends through thesteering column, this steering shaft at its upper end terminating in asteering wheel (not shown) in a manner well-known in the art.

The locking unit body l6 has a forward extension 25 terminating in aneck 26 which extends through an opening 21 in the vertical wall of thinstrument panel. This extension 25 has the bore 28 therethroughcommunicating with the bore l9. In the bore 28 is secured the tubularlock frame 29 which receives the tumbler lock barrel 30 operable by asuitable key 3 l This lock barrel at its inner end carries a cam 32which engages in a slot 33 provided in the lock bolt 20, so that whenthe key is turned the lock bolt may be shifted outwardly to withdraw itslocking end 2| from the steering shaft 24 or shifted inwardly forengagement of its locking end 2| in the notch 23 of the steering shaftcollar to thus lock the steering shaft agains' operation.

The ignition switch unit is constructed substantially entirely of sheetmetal parts. It comprises a main supporting frame 34 of U-shape forseating on the panel ledge H to which it may be secured, as by spotwelding, or detachably secured as by means of screws 35. Extendingbetween the front and rear walls 36 and 31, respectively, of the frame34 are the parallel cross walls 38 and 39 separated by a space 40. Thefront and rear end portions 4! and 42 of the wall 38 are deflectedlaterally at right angles and are secured respectively to the front andrear walls 36 and 31 of the frame 34, preferably by spot welding. Thefront and rear portions 43 and 44 cf the wall- 39 are deflectedlaterally at right angles and secured to the front walls 36 and 3'! ofthe frame 34, preferably by welding.

Mounted on the outer side of the rear wall 31 of the frame 34 is aswitch S. The switch comprises a housing 45 having ears 49 by which itmay be secured to the outer side of the wall 31 as by screws 36'. Withinthe switch housing is a switch arm 41 pivoted at one end for electricalengagement with a terminal post 48 to be swung for selective engagementwith terminal posts 49 and 59. The terminal post 48 is usually connectedwith a source of current such as a battery, while the post 49 would beconnected with the ignition circuit, the post being connected with someauxiliary electrical circuit.

In the space 49 between the crosswalls 38 and 39 is the mechanism foroperating the switch S. This mechanism includes a sheet metal operatinglever 5i having a disk shape body fulcrumed on a pin 52 with its arm 53extending upwardly beyond the space lii to which the inner end of a stem54 is pivoted, which stem extends forwardly through an opening 95 in thepanel I9 with a but ton 56 secured thereto whereby the stem may beaxially shifted for rocking of the lever 5|. As shown, the bifurcatedinner end 51 of the stem receives the arm 53 pivoted thereto by a pin58. I 1

Rotatable on the pin 52 between lever 5! and wall 38 is a switch settingdisk 59 which has a finger. 68 extending radially rearwardly therefromfor projection through a slot 5! in the rear wall 3i of the frame 34.This finger extends into the switch hollSing- 45 for engagement in therecess 62 in the outer end of the switch arm 41, so that, upon rockingof the disk 59, the switch arm may be selectively moved for connectionwith the terminal posts 39 and 59.

The arm 53 of the operating lever 5| has a tongue 63'defiected therefrominto the plane of the disk 59, and this tongue engages in a slot 64 inthe disk 59, the slot being wider than the tongue to provide a lostmotion connection. In its front edge,'the lever body 51 has notches 65and BSfwith a tooth El therebetween. A ball 68 is iorcedby a spring 69against the edge of the lever body'for engagement with the side edges ofthe tooth 61. With the arrangement shown, when the switch button 56 ismanipulated, the lever and disk will be given an over-center or snapaction for. snap operation. of the switch. The drawings show the switchbutton having been moved in for engagement of the tongue 93 with therear side of the notch 64 for counter-clockwise rocking of the lever anddisk to swing the finger 69 down for setting of the switch arm 41 intoengagement with the terminal post 50.

During this inward movement of the button, the tooth 6! on the lever 5!was carried past the ball 38 against the resistance of the spring 69until the ball came into engagement with the lower inclined edge of thetooth 67 whereupon the pressure of the ball by the spring'against thisedge caused the lever and disk to be snapped into position for settingof the switch arm for engagement with the terminal 50. Now, when thebutton 56 is pulled out from the position shown, the lever 5i will berotated clockwise against the pressure of the ball until the tongue 63engages with the forward edge of the notch 64 for rotation of the diskwith the lever whereafter the tooth 6'! will move down past the ball andthe ball will be pressed against the topvinclined edge of the tooth 6'!to then rapidly rock the lever and disk for upswing of the finger 60after the ball will pass the tooth 61 and will engage with the inclinedlower edge of the tooth to quickly snap both lever and disk to theirfinal counter-clockwise movement for down-swing of the finger 60 to snapthe switch arm 14 back into engagement with the terminal 59. When thebutton 56 is in, the auxiliary circuit connected with the terminal 59will be connected with the battery, and when the button 56 is pulled outfor engagement of the switch arm with the terminal 49, the ignitioncircuit will be in connection with the battery. After each inward oroutward setting of the button 56, the switch structure will be held insuch set position by the pressure ,of theballBB. V

'I have provided a simple arrangement for housing the ball 68 and thespring 69. .At its front end the sidewall 38 is cut transversely fromits upper and lower edges to leave upper and lower rectangular portionsin and H which are deflected laterally toward the right to abut againstthe crosswall 39, tongues being left on the ends of the deflected wallsto'extend through slots in the wall 39, the ends of the tonguesbeingriveted over or otherwise secured to the wall 39. The walls H3 and Htogether with the wall 39 thus form a rectangular chamber 13 for theball 68 and the spring 69. Before the walls 38 and 39 are secured to thewalls 36 and 31 of the U-frame 34, the ball and the spring are insertedinto this chamber whose outer end will then beclosed by the front wall36 when the walls 38 and 39 are secured to the frame 34, the Wall 36thus forming the outer abutment for the spring.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the'switchuniti's entirely concealed bythe instrument panel with the exception of the button 56. The steeringlock unit is" also/in greater part concealed behind the instrument panelwith only the end of'the lock barrel visible at the front of the panelfor inser tion of the key for operation of the locking bolt. I. haveshown interlocking connection between the steering lock unit and theswitch unit for preventing pulling out of the switch button forconnection of the ignition circuit with the battery when the lockingbolt is set for steering lock, but to release the switch for connectingthe ignition circuit with the battery when the steering lock bolt is setfor unlocking the steering, the -inter-' connection furthermorepreventing resettingof the lock bolt to steering locking positionuntilthe button 56 has been pushed in for disconnection of the ignitioncircuit from the battery. The interlocking connection includes a rigidendwise movable link or bar 14 which, as shown, may be'of rectangularcross section and given a quarter twist l5. diametral slot 16 in theouter end of thebolt 20 and is pivoted to the bolt by a pin 11. A shortdistance away from the pivot 11, a washer 16 on the bar 'is backed by apin 19, and a spring '80 surrounds the bar between the washer and'theend of the bolt 20; this spring tending to, hold the bar againstrattling. I I

At its right end the bar 75 extends through a guide opening 8| in thewall 39 of the switch structure to be disposed in front of the-arm 53of-the lever 5| which is operated by the button 56. In its rear edge thebar has the notch 82 which,

At its left end the bar isreceived in a' V when the bar is shiftedtoward the right by the outward movement of the lock bolt 20 to unlockthe steering, will be in front of the lever arm 53 so that the button 55may now be pulled out for setting of the switch for service connectionof the ignition with the battery. So long as the switch button stays outfor connection of the ignition in circuit, the lever arm 53 will remainin the notch and the steering lock bolt will be held against shift intosteering locking position. However, as soon as the button 56 is pushedin and the ignition switch has disconnected the ignition circuit fromthe battery, the bar M will be released from the lever arm 53 and thelock may be set into steering lock position, and the solid part of thebar 74 to the right of the notch 82 will then be in front of the leverarm 53 so that the button 56 is locked against outward pull and theswitch S is locked in ignition circuit disconnect position, as shown inFigures 2 and 3.

The switch unit may be set on the instrument panel any distance awayfrom the steering looking unit to permit ready grouping of the switchbutton or knob 55 with other manual controls on the instrument panel.The interlocking link or bar M may be given the necessary length andshape for interlocking connection thereof with the remotely situatedswitch unit, the hinged connection between the link and the lock boltassuring easy movement of the link in response to setting of the lockbolt into steering looking or unlocking position. The lock bolt 20 maybesufficiently rotatable in the bore IQ for cooperation of such rotarymovement with the connection of the bolt with the link to assure freecooperation of the outer end of the link with the switch unit.

I have shown a practical and eflicient embodiment of the features of myinvention, but I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction,arrangement or operation shown and described as changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A switch unit comprising a U-shape frame,

rocking said lever, said lever having a pair of notches separated by atooth, one of said walls having portions thereof deflected toward theother wall to form a chamber, a ball in said chamber and a springtherein urging said ball against said lever for cooperation with saidtooth and notches whereby after initial rocking of said lever by saidmanual control said lever will be given a final snap rotation, a tongueextending from said lever, said setting disk having a notch receivingsaid tongue but being wider than said tongue whereby said disk will beconnected with said lever for rotation therewith after initial manualmovement of the lever to follow the snap operation of said lever forsnap setting of the switch movable member by said finger.

2. A switch unit comprising a U-shape frame,

parallel Walls extending between the legs of said U-frame and securedthereto, a switch mounted on the outer leg of said U-frame and having a,movable switch member, an operating lever and a setting disk and a pinmounting said lever and disk side by side between said Walls forrotation on a common axis, a setting finger extending from said settingdisk into engagement with the movable member of said switch, a manualcontrol for rocking said lever, said lever having a pair of notchesseparated by a tooth, one of said walls having portions thereofdeflected toward the other wall to form a chamber, a ball in saidchamber and a spring therein urging said ball against said lever forcooperation with said tooth and notches whereby after initial rocking ofsaid lever by said manual control said lever will be given a final snaprotation, a tongue extending from said lever, said setting disk having anotch receiving said tongue but being wider than said tongue wherebysaid disk will be connected with said lever for rotation therewith afterinitial manual movement of the lever to follow the snap operation ofsaid lever for snap setting of the switch movable member by said finger,the outer leg of said U-frame being engaged by the spring in saidchamber to form an abutment therefor.

3. An ignition switch unit comprising a supporting frame, a switch boxon said frame having therein a movable switch element, opposed walls onsaid frame, an operating lever and a setting disk between said opposedwalls, a pin. mounting said lever and disk for relative rotation, afinger extending from said disk into the switch box for engagement withthe movable switch element, a manually operable control member forrocking said lever, notches in the body of the lever, a spring-pressedmember for cooperating with said notches for snap rocking movement ofsaid lever after initial manual rotation thereof, a lost motionconnection between said lever and said disk functioning to transmit thesnap rocking movement of said lever to said disk for swinging of thedisk finger for setting of said switch element.

4. An ignition switch unit comprising a supporting frame, a switch boxon said frame having therein a movable switch element, opposed walls onsaid frame, an operating lever and a setting disk between said opposedwalls, a pin mounting said lever and disk for relative rotation, afinger extending from said disk into the switch box for engagement withthe movable switch element, a manually operable control member forrocking said lever, notches in the body of the lever, a spring-pressedmember for cooperating with said notches for snap rocking movement ofsaid lever after initial manual rotation thereof, a lost motionconnection between said lever and said disk functioning to transmit thesnap rocking movement of saidlever to said disk for swinging of the diskfinger for setting of said switch element, one of said opposed wallshaving a guide opening, a locking bar slidable in said opening andhaving a notch therein, said bar being longitudinally shiftable to aligneither a solid portion thereof or said notch with said lever wherebysaid lever may be locked against or released for operation by saidmanual control member.

RAY A. SANDBERG.

